Fire-proof structure



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

S., LIDDLQE. TIRE FROOPSTRUGTUREL l w-91115 1 Mar.6,1883.

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N. PETERS, Pholo-Uthognpher. Wuhingwn. U-C- (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet2.-

s. LIDDLE;

FIRE PROOF STRUCTURE. v No. 273,556. Patented.Mar.6,1883.

WITNESSES N. PEYERS, PhnwLithnr-mplwr, wnhin vm. 0.6.

U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'SAMUEL'LIDDLE, OF HAMILTON, NEVADA.

FIRE-PROOF STRUCTURE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 273,556, dated March6,1833, I

Application filed June 22, 1882. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL LIDDLE, of Hamilton, in the county of WhitePine and State of Nevada, have invented a new and Improved Fire-ProofStructure, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

The invention consists in a building (the same is also applicable in thehull of a vessel) constructed of metal plates attached to both sides ofperforated iron posts, beams, 8m, whereby a building with a hollow shellis formed, which shell can be filled with water from a reservoir abovethe building in case of fire, which water is to be drawn off into a tanksituated lower than the building after the fire is over, and can then bepumped back into the reservoir.

The invention also consists in acertain construction of a tubular orhollow hinge, by means of which hollow shutters can be hung to thebuilding, and the water can pass from the hollow shell of the buildinginto the hollow shutter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part ofthis specification, in which similar letters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is a perspective view of my improved fire-proof structure,parts of the walls being removed; Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view ofone of the shutter-hinges for the shutters or doors. Fig. 3 is asectional view of the two united plates. Fig. 4 is a longitudinalsectional perspective view of a steam-vessel having its boiler inclos'edin one of my inn-- proved fire-proof compartments.

The structure is made of metal plates A, which are securely riveted orbolted to studs,

posts, or beams B, provided with perforations or apertures a, so thatthe structure will consist ofa hollow shell which can be filled withwater, the beams, posts, &c., being perforated,

'so. that the water can pass into all parts of the hollow shell. Thewater can be conducted into this hollow shell from any suitablereservoir, 0, located higher than the building, and the pipes c fromthis reservoir can enter the shell at the top or bottom, as may bedesired. If desired, the pipes leading into the shell may be connectedwith a hydrant or with a watermain. The Shell is perforated by a seriesof outlet-pipes, M, which are provided with suitable valves N, as shown,which valves open automatically assoon as the pressure of the steamcreated in the shell by the heat of the valves, through which openingsthe smoke or fumes in the rooms can pass off. If the pipe from thereservoirO enters thebuilding at the bottom, a check-valve must beprovided, so that the water that has passed into the shell will beretained in the same and cannot flow out. For the same purpose I haveprovided nozzles P, having check-valves, to which nozzles hose from anengine or from a hydrant are attached for filling the shell with water,and so that the water cannot flow out of the shell back into the hydrantor upon the ground when the pipes are removed, I have provided automaticcheck-valves, for it is often so hot in the neighborhood of the firethat the firemenwould not. be able to go to the building to turn otfglobe or other valves, which would have to be used if the check-valveswere not provided. A tank, D, must be provided below the structure, orbelow the level of the lowest point of the shell, so that the water inthe shell can be drawn olf into this tank, and can later on be pumpedfrom the same into the reservoir C. The plates A overlap each other, andare secured to each other by means of rivets E, which preferably havetheir inner heads countersunk, so than the inner surface of the wallwill be perfectly smooth and can be painted in imitation of wood, stone,or stucco. The shutters are made hollow, and are hung on hollow angularhooks E, which are each provided with an aperture, b, through which thewater can pass into the hollow eye G of the hollow hinge-bar H, to whichthe shutter is attached. The lowest hollow hinge is intended tobelocated .so as to drain the shutter. The doors can be constructed inthe same manner, if desired; or wooden doors can be used for ordinaryuse. The hollow iron doors anri shutters will thus be filled with waterwith the rest of the shell. If the shell is filled w ith water,thebuilding will be absolutely fire-proof and the plates cannot warp orshrink under the action of the heat. Around the window and door openingsthe outer and inner plates are connected by the window and door frames,which must have very close joints, so that no water can leak out. It isevident that the shell is only to be tilled with water when there isdanger from fire.

As shown in Fig. 4, the engine-room of a steamer may be constructed withhollow walls in the manner described, and the doors Q and the hatches Rare also to be made hollow, and can be hung by means of theimprovedhinges shown in Fig. 2. This hollow shell filled with water will preventthe spread of tire in the engine-room, and will be much better, simpler,and cheaper for the walls or floors than the bricks or tiles, such asare at present used in engine-rooms. The entire hull, the decks, and thebulk-heads of steam or sailing vessels may be constructed with two ironwalls and the water-space between them, if desired. In all cases theseshells must be provided with gas or steam escapes, so that they will notexplode or be ruptured or burst by the great pressure in the shells.It'a steamer, it would be advisable to keep the space S under the boilercontinually filled with water.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. A fire-proof structure, vessel, bull, or bulk-head, constructed,substantially as herein shown and described, of metal plates attached toperforated iron struts, beams, and posts,

whereby hollow floors and walls will be formed, which hollow walls andfloors can be filled with water, as set forth.

2. The combination, with a structure with hollow walls and floors, ofthe outlet-pipes M, provided with the valves N, substantially as hereinshown and described.

3. The combination, with a structure constructed with hollow walls andfloors, of a water-tank, pipes for conducting the water into the shellof the structure, and pipes for conveying the steam created in the shellinto the tank to be condensed, substantially as herein shown anddescribed, and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination,with a structure having hollow walls and hollowshutters, of the hollow angular hooks F, provided with the aperture b,and the hollow hinge-bar H, substantially as herein shown and described.

5. The combination, with a structure constructed with hollow walls, ofthe hollow or tubular hook F, provided with an aperture, 1), and thehollow hinge-bar H, provided with an eye, G, substantially as hereinshown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination, with a structure constructed with hollow walls, of areservoir located higher than the building, and a tank located lowerthan the bottom of the building, substantially as herein shown anddescribed, and for the purpose set forth.

SAMUEL LIDDLE.

\Vituesses:

Gno. P. McCoNKEY, O. A. MATHEWSON.

